The savings SMO generated by eliminating unnecessary surgery resulted in improved patient care at minimal cost to third-party payers.

One hundred consecutive patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy underwent vitrectomy for nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage. Eighty-two had significantly improved vision; nine had no improvement in vision; and nine had complications which resulted in permanent loss of vision. Only three eyes lost vision because of neovascular glaucoma. Our results indicate that with improved surgical techniques, the incidence of vitrectomy complications is decreasing.